TomTom VIA 1535T 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic Review

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(More customer reviews)Update on 4/20/11:
I continued to have significant issues with the TomTom device, and with absolutely no help from TomTom, Amazon allowed me to exchange the product (which was very easy to do!). The replacement device works MUCH better -- I'm not experiencing the bugginess or lack of responsiveness I had with the previous device. I'm assuming my original had a defect with the touchscreen. I'm quite happy with the device itself, but I left the rating at 3/5 stars for 2 reasons:
1) My review of the MyTomTom software as of April 2011 and the false advertising (see below) stands.
2) TomTom Support does not seem ready to support the new product or software yet.
For those who care most about the GPS unit itself though, I'm very happy with it -- intuitive, responsive, beautiful interface, and more capable than previous TomToms. Once TomTom fixes their software and support, I'm sure a review could easily give it 5/5 stars.Original Review on 4/14/11:
I was excited to buy this product recently, and receive it on 4/12/11.
However, I have to warn everyone considering any of the newer TomTom VIA line to be cautious.
First, TomTom recently retired their old "TomTom Home" software for new "MyTomTom" software. Many of the features on this Amazon page and on TomTom's page are NOT available because the new software is incapable of supporting those features. This includes map sharing (sharing updates), QuickGPSFix, speed camera updates, voice purchases, backing up your device, etc. I confirmed this via email and via a phone call with TomTom Support. Online forums seem to suggest that it could be months or longer before the software provides this. The phone support rep said that perhaps some of the features would be offered in 30-60 days.
Secondly, the device I received has a sluggish interface most of the time, and the interface will freeze (especially if there's no GPS signal) the rest of the time. The routing functionality is very fast, but it's not useful if you can't actually interact with the device. I received a bit of a runaround from TomTom Support, and even sent them a video I recorded of the problems -- they had no suggestions and suggested I wait for the next application release to fix the bugs.
Finally, the TomTom support site and reps are not ready to support these new devices. Their online support site has articles which fail to even list the new VIA line and their phone support menu doesn't even include it. When using email support, the support rep kept sending me articles on other TomTom models.
Just to summarize, you won't receive the features advertised (this is confirmed), and my experience with the device was poor from the start. I can't express how disappointed I am -- this looked an excellent product, and the interface is beautiful... but unusable.


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TomTom GO 2435TM 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps Review

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(More customer reviews)I have used several GPS units over the past few years. I started with a Garmin, which was great, then Magellan, then my cell phone. I liked the Garmin, most, until I got my cell phone, and so I returned it. I just got the TomTom, and frankly, was never really impressed with what they had to offer....until now. Quality of materials appears very good. I was not happy to not have a suction device for my windshield. Having the the disk mount on my dash is and advertisement to theives that I have a GPS and a chance for them break into my car and look for it (even though I do not keep it in the car)....so....I do not mount it. Now, I should mention that I LOVED my cell phone GPS. Traffic updates, etc., it was great, and included in my plan for no extra charge! Great. I was happy. Well, today we went to Staten Island (from Westchester), NY....about one hour and twenty minute drive. So, a battle of the GPS's was a no brainer. The controls on the TomTom are not really as intuitive as my old Garmin, but a hair better than my cell phone. The voice recognition is something else. It's amazing! It understood what we said with the windows open and driving at a pretty quick rate! Even my favorite bluetooth headset cannot do this. My wife and I were VERY impressed. Back to the battle.....I should note that today was the bike marathon, and we could have potentially gotten caught in a TON of traffic. Both GPS units took me pretty much the same way, but the TomTom had the more accurate ride. Unfortunately, both also took me through the crossbronx expressway, which is notoriously horrible and always backed up, on the way to NJ. On the way home, the TomTom brought me back the same way, and my cell phone brought me back a different way. Wanting to avoid the crossbronx on the way home, I followed my cell.....as I was doing that the TomTom informed me that there was a delay with its current route and asked if I wanted to change my route. I said yes, and it went the same way as my cell. The TomTom CONSTANTLY gives you instructions. It's annoying....I didn't really like it, however, my cell phone gave me very little, and going through New Jersey, I like the TomTom for all of it's reminders and guidance. The TomTom also informed me that there was a delay, but we were still on the fastest route......and what I REALLY like is that it told me how long the delay would last! That is a nice feature, especially for someone who does not want to be stuck in traffic. I feel that we put it through its paces and I think that it really did a good job. So much so, that my wife has decided to keep it....I'm stuck with the cell phone. You get lifetime traffic and 4 map updates per year for life, so keep your code to update your unit! It also has an option for traffic cameras! SWEET!
My only real problem is the lack of intuitive control.....and it is not completely lacking but enought to make this a 4.5 instead of 5 star review. Scrolling through the different maps is a little sketchy at first, and also a bit confusing, especially when I never had to read the directions for my cell or for me Garmin. Still, I rate the TomTom better than either of those. This is a solid unit, and it is spot on. If you happen to get pulled over for speeding, you better shut down your unit, because as I said, it is spot on....it matched my speedometer perfectly. Very impressive. Also, while my cell phone and the TomTom give the same directions some times, I found that the TomTom gives a more accurate ETA. I don't give out 5 stars easily, and this is as close to 5 as I can give without actually notching it up. I would easily recommend this unit over the other brands that I have used. Look no further folks, you have found your GPS!

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